Hvarsko kazalište i Arsenal
Historic theatre from 1612 on the upper floor of the Hvar Arsenal, the first public theatre in Europe open to all citizens, with a gallery on the ground floor.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The first Hvar Arsenal was built between 1292 and 1331 as a slipway and warehouse for maintaining galleys. A new Arsenal was erected on the same site in the 16th century, but the Ottomans burned it in 1571. It was restored and extended in 1611 in the time of Prince Petar Semitecolo. In 1612 the Fontik, a grain store with a large terrace, was built along the northern façade, and from this terrace one entered the theatre founded in the same year.
The Hvar theatre is on the second floor of the Arsenal. The inscription above the entrance door, ANNO SECVNDO PACIS MDCXII, refers to 1612, the second year of peace between the feuding estates of the Hvar commune. The theatre is among the oldest in Europe and was the first to be open to all citizens regardless of their social origin. The auditorium with boxes dates from 1803, its present neo-Baroque appearance from the mid-19th century, and two wall paintings have been preserved, among them a fresco from 1819 on the back wall of the stage.
On the ground floor of the Arsenal is the Galerija Arsenal, which is now a collection of the Muzej hvarske baštine. It was founded in 1957 thanks to Grga Gamulin and Nika Duboković, and Gamulin’s permanent display of Croatian painting is to this day the most valuable part of the collection.
Highlights
- Theatre from 1612, one of the oldest public theatres in Europe
- Auditorium with boxes from 1803
- Fresco from 1819 on the back wall of the stage
- Galerija Arsenal with Gamulin’s permanent display
Permanent exhibitions
- Hvarsko povijesno kazalište – Theatre from 1612 on the second floor of the Arsenal, with an auditorium with boxes from 1803 and preserved stage backdrops.
- Galerija Arsenal: stalni postav Grge Gamulina – Permanent display of the most valuable paintings, sculptures and prints from the collection of the Muzej hvarske baštine, including Gamulin’s selection of Croatian painting of the 1950s.
- Founded
- 1612
- Operated by
- Javna ustanova u kulturi HVAR 1612
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Pupils aged 7 to 18, students and pensioners. |
| Children & teens | freeFree admission for children up to 7 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freePeople with disabilities enter free of charge. |
| Groups (11+ people) | –Organised groups of more than 10 people paying by voucher receive a 10% discount; group guides enter free of charge; registration is required at info@hvar1612.hr. |
| Combined ticket (Fortica fortress, theatre, Arsenal, loggia, Leroj tower and the church of St John) | €15Pupils aged 7 to 18, students and pensioners €9. |
One ticket is valid for the theatre and the Arsenal. Free admission for members of professional associations (ICOM, Hrvatsko muzejsko društvo) with an identity card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
People with limited mobility can reach the theatre stage by lift through the eastern service entrance, with prior notice at info@hvar1612.hr; the whole theatre is not accessible because there is no ramp. The ground floor of the Arsenal has a level entrance without barriers.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours in Croatian and foreign languages are possible with prior registration. Entry in swimwear, food and drink, pets and touching the wooden inventory are prohibited. |
